New Zealand rapper Fat Papi landed on the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 89 with his single “Freaked Out,” driven by a viral TikTok video featuring a misheard lyric about a haircut. According to reporting by The Spinoff, the Auckland-based artist—born Baban Hussain—achieved the milestone just weeks after releasing the track on June 4, 2025, alongside Perth producer prodshushy.
### The Viral TikTok Haircut That Ignited the Charts
The unexpected chart placement stems from a June 6, 2025, video posted by TikTok user Jocelyn Meiere, known online as “Miss Diva Bob.” According to The Spinoff, Meiere used “Freaked Out” as the soundtrack for a video showcasing a “bob” haircut, shaking her hair to Hussain’s lyric “Get that bag,” which viewers misheard as “Get that bob.”
The video accumulated 6.7 million views, sparking a trend where other users replicated the format. While TikTok views do not directly factor into Billboard Hot 100 calculations, the digital traction pushed massive spikes on traditional listening platforms. Hussain’s monthly Spotify listeners climbed to seven million, surpassing established local acts including Benee, Balu Brigada, and Shouse, as reported by The Spinoff.
### Independent Rise in the New Zealand Hip-Hop Scene
Prior to his international chart debut, Hussain operated independently within the domestic New Zealand circuit since beginning his music career in 2023 under the moniker Fat Papi. Music journalist Gareth Shute told The Spinoff that the speed of Hussain’s ascent sets the release apart from typical domestic breakouts. “The singular thing about this case is the speed,” Shute said, noting that the artist gained global traction in less than two months.
### Global Travel and Next Steps for Fat Papi
Following the track’s chart success, Hussain traveled to London to meet Meiere, collaborating on several social media posts celebrating the track’s reach. In statements published by The Spinoff, Hussain noted that Meiere filmed her viral clip at 1:00 AM to a random sound, which subsequently propelled the track worldwide. Hussain subsequently traveled to Australia and the United States after finalizing a contract with a new manager, according to The Spinoff. Through a brief statement provided to the outlet, Hussain said, “Thank you to everyone who’s been rocking with ‘Freaked Out’.”